Mark Elias | Bloomberg | Getty Images
Workers inspect a Passat at the Volkswagen Chattanooga plant in Tennessee.
Out of the 1,000 German adults questioned in an online survey, 63 percent either agreed or strongly agreed that the emissions scandal would be forgotten and, within a year, no one would be discussing the affair surrounding the rigged diesel engines.
On top of this, 91 percent of those surveyed believed that Volkswagen isn't the only automaker to cheat on its diesel-emissions test. So far, no other car manufacturers – not owned by Volkswagen – have confirmed of any illegal malpractice.
On October 15th 2015, Volkswagen said that it would recall around 8.5 million diesel-engine cars in the European Union. While this puts German automakers under further scrutiny, 60 percent of German consumers believed the "Made in Germany" brand wouldn't be damaged by the scandal in the long-term.
When the news broke in September, the scandal was described as a "massive blow" to the firm, with the company believing that some 11 million cars were affected by the emissions test worldwide.